Countries express interest in JF-17 aircraft: Senate told

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Defence Production Rana Tanvir Hussain informed the Senate today that a number of countries had expressed interest in JF-17 aircraft.

Replying to a question, he said negotiations with few customer countries were at advanced stage while preliminary discussions were being held with two customers.

Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique told the House that Pakistan has regional connectivity plan under which Peshawar will be linked with Jalalabad. He said feasibility study of the project would be completed in June and tendering process might take place in August this year.

To another question, he said a new cargo express train has been started between Karachi and Lahore.

Replying questions on behalf of Information Minister, Minister of State for Interior Balighur Rehman said under code of conduct 2015 any health related advertisement cannot be aired without prior permission of the Federal or provincial governments.

The Senate passed a resolution urging the government to take all possible measures for women empowerment.

The resolution was moved by Sherry Rehman on the occasion of International Women Day being observed today.

The resolution also urged the government to ensure that women have equal opportunities in different spheres of life including education and employment.

The House resolved to work to ensure that women are granted equal basic human rights.

It reaffirmed its commitment to end discrimination and violence against women and ensure their safety and welfare.

Both the Bills were moved by Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Shaikh Aftab Ahmed.

Minister of State for Interior and Narcotics, Balighur Rehman told the House that all necessary arrangements had been made by the government to hold census but the exercise had to be postponed due to non-availability of army personnel.

He was responding to call attention notice by Ilyas Ahmed Bilour and Mukhtiar Dhamrah.

The Minister said CCI meeting last year had decided to hold census with the cooperation of the army but required number of personnel were not available at the moment because of operation Zarb-e-Azb.

He expressed the confidence that the census would be held within the tenure of the present government.

The Senate passed a resolution urging the government to take all possible measures for women empowerment.

The resolution was moved by Sherry Rehman on the occasion of International Women Day being observed today.

The resolution also urged the government to ensure that women have equal opportunities in different spheres of life including education and employment.

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar told the House that Shahbaz Taseer, the son of former Governor Punjab Salman Taseer was safely recovered from Kuchlak, Balochistan, today.